[It takes him a few seconds to parse the sentence. The idea of a non-custodial parent doesn't exist in High Language, in a world where parents can pick genes for creche-born children from any number of sources; it would be like trying to say non-custodial custodian or non-parent parent.]

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to put that on you. Just - something about the image. Being on the threshold of making it out.

I still really care about you, you know. And - I get it a little, even if it's different. I can't even imagine having a kid. But I get - how much mistakes like that are their own punishment, I guess. Doesn't seem to me that it does anyone any good, piling on more pain.

[Unless you're into that.]